Engr. Jimbuoy Okoye (Akalanze Nimo) Writes About Security In Anambra

                                            

“Experience has shown that crime thrives best when society adopts silence and inertia as a mode of response. Anytime we chose silence instead of speech in response to the criminal activities of our friend and neighbour, we make ourselves complicit in their crimes. Ladies and gentlemen, we must not choose a cowardly silence in exchange for a bold and redeeming speech. Ndi Anambra kpoonu ife ojo ife ojoo!!!”

Ndi Anambra:

 

The above-quoted remark was made by the new Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano on the occasion of the first-ever security summit held at Awka from 10^th to 11^th of April 2014.  The conference was an integral part of the latest attempt to wipe crime away from our homeland.  Of course, the Governor was not only addressing the teeming participants at the security conference in the state but also talked to all of us that were both at home and in disapora during the epoch-making event.  He was simply trying to touch our various consciences as well as our hearts and minds. His speech really struck me as worthy of further sober reflection.

 

Has this innovative leader of our home state forgotten that there is an old adage which says that “Silence is golden?”  I doubt.  He certainly knows that silence is not always golden.  Just like the Governor rightly mentioned in his eloquent speech, silence is sometimes a sign of cowardice!  For sure, silence may be golden at times. But to remain silent when one should speak up is to be guilty of cowardice.  And, depending on the prevailing circumstances, this weakness can even result in a failure to do one's duty.

 

How many times in nearly every field of human endeavor has it been true that silence could be traced to fearfulness?  The answer is very many times, if I should tell you.  Gov. Willie Obiano has just reminded us that there are times when it is our individual social responsibility to speak up and tell the truth no matter whose ox is gored.  Many times those who should speak out and warn of danger remain silent because they are afraid of what the repercussion could be or due to the fear that they might hurt someone's feelings.  Baloney!  Yea, such silence is far from being golden, it is just arrant nonsense.  And God will hold accountable those who are guilty of always entertaining such bunkum within their mindset.

 

It is the obligation of every citizen, whether young or old, rich or poor, at home or abroad to say the truth and damn the consequences, to encourage or inspire those who falter, to reprove or rebuke those who commit evil, and to coach or direct those who need teaching and correction. We must teach people the truth, we must condemn evil, and we must correct error wherever and whenever it may be found. The wrongdoers in our midst must be warned about the effects or end-results of their wicked ways. Sometimes, this task is not a pleasant or easy one.  At times, it will lead to trouble and may bring violent opposition to the courageous preacher.  But we must never forget that no one can please God who remains silent when duty demands that he or she speaks out!

 

Definitely, silence cannot be “golden” in all cases.  In our contemporary society, when a crime is winked at, when an error goes uncorrected, when an unsafe act or unsafe condition is not redressed, when falsehood goes unchallenged, when perilous policies and practices are not exposed for what they are, the “silence” of those who should speak out is nothing but cowardice. Yet, many important personalities in our society today are keeping silent when circumstances and conditions demand that they speak up.  Why?

 

Grave issues and societal problems are facing us today and the danger of indifference, division, and digression is apparent in many quarters. Whoever will deny this stark reality of our modern period is either ignorant of the facts or completely self-deluded. Our people are in a state of confusion in many places and do not know what to expect in the future.  Dangers threaten everywhere. The need of the hour is not for silence relative to these things, but for a faithful and responsible communication of the truth at all times while touching virtually all aspects of our communal life. There is no place for “fence straddlers” or the compromisers who “halt between two opinions”.  

 

The public needs basic and clear teaching on their individual responsibility regarding safety and security of lives and property back home in our locality.  I believe that’s the major idea behind the just concluded security conference in Anambra State.  And the government of the state has said that nobody can carry our load nor execute our personal obligations to the other members of the society.  Individually, we should have a commitment to assist, build up, and support one another. Anybody who fails to deal personally with the security challenges and knotty issues before us is a coward.  Moreover, such a person lends strength to the forces of evil, and by failing to explicitly join in the ongoing fight against crime such a person can be counted along with the enemies of the society for all practical purposes.  Jesus said: “he who is not with me is against me.”  I can’t agree more with this biblical remark.  We have to make a choice, either we are actively for Him or we are passively against Him.

 

In the Holy book, Obadiah condemned some people of his days because they stood by and watched the enemies destroy some of their brethren. God's prophet accused them of “violence against thy brother Jacob”.  He told them that “shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off forever.” Obadiah told them when and why they had done that for which they were condemned: “On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth, and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem - you too were as one of them.”  By failing to help their brethren in their plight, Obadiah says of them that they were even as one of the enemies.  In the same way, today we can be considered as “one of the enemies” of our land if we refuse to speak out when it matters most.

 

Are you concerned about the safety and security of your brothers and sisters in Anambra State? Are you willing to stand by them, lift them up when they fall, defend them against dangers? Do we really care enough about others to correct, encourage and sustain them in times of trouble and discouragement?  Here comes an opportunity to stand up and be counted as one of the crusaders of a crime-free society in Anambra State.

 

My dear brothers and sisters, what about your responsibility along the declared line of attack against the rampaging enemies of progress in our homeland?  The exact time has come for those who are solidly on the side of the good people of Anambra State to say so.  And then let them go ahead to prove it by their actions. Now, where do you stand? Are you hiding behind the cloak of silence, with the idea that “silence is golden”? No right-thinking citizen of Anambra State can remain silent when our people are ironically exposed to grave danger of insecurity and uncertainty from different battle fields in peace time. Speaking up against crime won't be popular with all the masses, but it will surely help save those who have an honest and good heart; and who have the audacity and dedication to faithfully protect life and to properly secure assets in Anambra State come what may!

 

Paul, the apostle, could say, “I am pure from the blood of all men,” because he was devoted to his job of teaching people the truth from God and warning them of all error.  He was no coward and never sought to please men in his preaching (Gal. I: 6-10).  He certainly did not think that “silence is golden” when the truth needed to be proclaimed in plain, bold language. He boldly condemned all error wherever and whenever he found it. We must do the same if we actually want the current war against crime that has since been embarked upon by the present government of Anambra State to be won as soon as possible. Remember that the real color of silence is not always golden; many times it is just plain yellow.

 

I most sincerely salute all of you who have since decided to come out boldly to identify with the good cause of securing Anambra State and its people now.

 

With much love,

 

Engr. Jimbuoy Okoye (Akalanze Nimo)

The Oracle @ Akalanze Court, Nimo.

 

Akalanze is the hallmark of nobility and Akalanze Court is a place where freedom of speech simply means that no public opinion should be restricted or constrained by any parochial interest.